"It's false,'' Griffin told USA TODAY Sports of the story referencing his college coach.

Then the quarterback exhaled.

Griffin was following the advice of 16-year veteran linebacker London Fletcher, who announced Wednesday he is "99 percent certain'' he will retire at the end of this season.

Fletcher told Griffin to decompress after Shanahan shut down the struggling quarterback for the rest of the season.

"I do take that advice,'' Griffin said. "Just because for some people it can push you over the edge and really frustrate you.

"I just have to do what Fletch told me, let it all go. Because the people that know you, defend you. And you can't try to defend yourself or your family in these situations."

Griffin will always be grateful for Fletcher's mentorship.

"I'll always remember when I first walked into this locker room, they sat me next to him and that was for a reason and I've learned a lot from him,'' Griffin said.

Fletcher, 38, who will play in his 255th career game Sunday when the Redskins (3-11) play host to the Dallas Cowboys (7-7), wanted to thank Redskins fans in the team's home finale.

First he offered encouragement to the franchise's face.

"Robert has come in with a tremendous amount of pressure,'' Fletcher said. "When you talk about being the Heisman Trophy winner, so many draft picks they gave up to get him. This is an organization that hasn't had a franchise quarterback for over 20 years. So the amount of expectations he had, the way he performed last year, he exceeded those expectations leading us to the playoffs.''

Fletcher has seen no change in Griffin's approach since his demotion to scout-team quarterback last week.

"From the end of the year since he hurt (his knee), he didn't have chance to really exhale. This is a time for him to take a step back, re-evaluate different things. And say, 'Hey, what do I need to be the player I know I can be.'''

Fletcher, who has two sacks and 58 tackles this season, lobbied for Shanahan's return.

"I think coach Shanahan is a great coach,'' Fletcher said. "Probably, 95 percent of guys who have played for him would love playing for him. As I look at the current situation, I think coach Shanahan is the right guy.

"Mr. Snyder would be wise to let him see this thing through.''

Shanahan appreciated the support.

"I've never been around a guy quite like London,'' Shanahan said. "The way he prepares for every game is like he's preparing for a Super Bowl.

"I feel like I accomplished everything I can accomplish,'' Fletcher said. "Obviously, everybody wants to go out like Ray Lewis with the Super Bowl parade. But it wasn't in the cards for me if this is it.

"It's more about trying to leave a legacy.''

Griffin hopes to carry on that legacy.

"There's many different ways to be a leader and you can learn that from a guy like him,'' Griffin said. "Obviously, guys see him giving pre-game speeches. But he's more reserved, rough around the edges, a focused guy who comes to work every day ready to go no matter what's going on outside.''